Predestination and Free Will
Controversies. Also called Predestination vs. Free Will, Calvinism and Arminianism, Election and Free Will, Calvinist-Arminian Debate.
Predestination and free will is a debate over whether salvation depends on God's election or on the human response. Calvinism, followed by Presbyterians, and the Arminian-Wesleyan tradition, followed by Methodists, Holiness churches, and Full Gospel churches, explain the question differently.
About this articleAI draft from a Korean source. Notes on Korean Protestant practice. No sources listed. Not yet reviewed by a person.
- Origin
Drafted by AI from the Korean church.wiki article, then translated and adapted for English readers on 5 November 2026.
- Perspective
Includes notes on Korean Protestant practice; other traditions are noted where they differ.
- Sources
None listed yet. The article draws on the biblical text and general reference works. Add a source
- Review
Not yet reviewed by a person. Last edited by a person: never. Translation updated 5 November 2026. Edit history
The Issue
Scripture contains passages stating that God chose beforehand those who would be saved (Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 8:29-30), as well as passages stating that whoever believes will be saved (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:4). The issue is how these two sets of passages should be understood together.
The Calvinist Explanation
Calvinism holds that sin has rendered human beings wholly incapable, so they cannot come to God on their own. Salvation is therefore God's sovereign grace from beginning to end. In this view, God gives irresistible grace to those He has unconditionally elected and preserves them to the end. The Synod of Dort (1618–1619) summarized this teaching in five articles. Proponents maintain that this position gives glory to God alone, since the ground of salvation lies in no way within the human person.
In Korea, the Presbyterian denominations stand in this tradition.
The Arminian-Wesleyan Explanation
Arminianism holds that God first gives grace (prevenient grace) to all people, enabling them to respond to the gospel. It understands predestination as grounded in God's foreknowledge of who will believe. Human beings can also reject this grace. John Wesley carried this tradition forward, and Methodist, Holiness, and Full Gospel churches, as well as The Salvation Army, belong to it. Proponents maintain that this position does justice both to the passages declaring that God desires the salvation of all people and to human responsibility.
Mutual Criticisms
Calvinists criticize the Arminian view for leaving a human share in salvation and thereby weakening grace. Arminians criticize the Calvinist view for portraying God as one who loves only some and for weakening the motivation for evangelism. Each side responds that these criticisms misunderstand its position.
Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this idea is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.
In Korean Protestantism, Presbyterians are the largest group by membership, yet revival meetings and evangelistic preaching across denominations have emphasized a "decision" for faith. For this reason, some observers judge that the actual language of faith among Korean Christians blends the two traditions. Among Korean Baptists, both positions are present.
See also 7
Is there a problem with this article? Report it
Log in to report. Reports are reviewed within 24 hours.
Discussion 0
Share corrections, other viewpoints or questions about this article.